Cycle Super-Highways

[clarion]

Today I went through the general traffic route at Stockwell A3 North. There was an awful lot of confusion going on there. The CS route, I see, does filter bikes into an ASL ahead of the general traffic, but I was one of several cyclists who were checking how clear the lane was before deciding which side of the silly raised section to go. The chap in front of me was clearly expecting to be able to pull over into the left hand lane to head onto the A3, but slowed right up when he found his way blocked, and no clarity about direction.

I'm still amused by the Oval section, where the CS goes along the side, then stops & magically reappears in the next lane across. Is there some sort of teleportaiton device to be installed there for less experienced cyclists? Or is it just as we suspected that the whole thing is a cop-out, and only works properly where there were previously bus lanes, i.e. where it isn't really needed?

 

[Origamist]

Today I went through the general traffic route at Stockwell A3 North. There was an awful lot of confusion going on there. The CS route, I see, does filter bikes into an ASL ahead of the general traffic, but I was one of several cyclists who were checking how clear the lane was before deciding which side of the silly raised section to go. The chap in front of me was clearly expecting to be able to pull over into the left hand lane to head onto the A3, but slowed right up when he found his way blocked, and no clarity about direction.?

Without the 1.5m blue strip, confusion reigns (although I suspect cylists will still use both lanes even after the strip is in situ). TFL are keeping a close eye on this junction (or so I'm led to believe) as not only is Stockwell triangle difficult for cyclists, but going down to 1 lane northbound will affect the capacity of (motorised) vehicles using the junction.

I wish they'd just painted the whole lane blue (to the right of the raised intervention) that leads you onto the A3.

I'm still amused by the Oval section, where the CS goes along the side, then stops & magically reappears in the next lane across. Is there some sort of teleportaiton device to be installed there for less experienced cyclists? Or is it just as we suspected that the whole thing is a cop-out, and only works properly where there were previously bus lanes, i.e. where it isn't really needed?

As it stands, it's a huge cop out - it's almost as if they feel they've made an improvement south bound and that's enough cycle friendly work for Oval at the A3/A23. If they are going to tackle the straight on problem, they've got less than 2 weeks.

Vid of what you are talking about at Oval:
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fITTlehfLU

 

[Origamist]

Thames Water are apparently already digging up CS7 (by the looks of the photo) http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mindthegap/2010/07/digging_up_another_hole_for_cy.html

From: http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/4661

Referring to a picture of Southwark Bridge circulated on Twitter by @SE1, the Mayor said: "I was slightly disappointed to read just a few hours ago that, according to some blogger, my brand new bright blue Cycle Superhighway is already being dug up by roadworks even before it has opened," said the Mayor.

He said that his plans for 'lane rental' by utility companies will help to solve this problem.

 

[Origamist]

CS7 complementary measures.

New cycle parking, Balham High Road:

Recently installed Trixi mirror at Tooting Bec:

 

[gaz]

Which lights is the trixi mirror installed on?

 

[Origamist]

Which lights is the trixi mirror installed on?

I almost missed it. It's the junction with Upper Tooting Road and Trinity Road at Tooting Bec tube.

 

[Origamist]

Pity I live in Surbiton. I do take the wife and kids down sometimes though to Tooting. She does a bit of shopping for clothes. Then we go to a great cafe. Not a restaurant. Just a cafe. On your left as you head north. About half-way between Tooting Broadway and the Bec. Next to an indian sweets shop. Genuine home-made stuff, in a rough and ready plastic cafe environment. Knock down prices. Kebabs wrapped in parathas, for example, for £1.50.

Can't remember what it's called now.

If I pass you within 500m of Spice Village in the next month, I'll shout you to a quick curry and a pint on the way home.

 

[Origamist]

CS7 Clapham North to Stockwell:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITXtSwxhj2Y


CS7 Southwark Bridge Road towards Southwark Bridge:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huy-FLpV8_w

 

[martint235]

CS7 Clapham North to Stockwell:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITXtSwxhj2Y


CS7 Southwark Bridge Road towards Southwark Bridge:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huy-FLpV8_w

What kind of bike do you ride? You seem very low down, is it some kind of head first 'bent?

 

[Origamist]

What kind of bike do you ride? You seem very low down, is it some kind of head first 'bent?

Almost! Since the picture below was taken I have attached a camera to my nose:

Real film of me cycling (my fav clip):
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th9S2Dpq954

 

[gaz]

CS7 Clapham North to Stockwell:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITXtSwxhj2Y


CS7 Southwark Bridge Road towards Southwark Bridge:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huy-FLpV8_w

I didn't ride yesterday, but i saw today that they relayed the bus lane between clapham and stockwell. and some of the blue stuff at union street. It seems a bit harsh to ride on.

 

[Origamist]

Go to 14.43 - BBC London News item on Cycle Superhighways:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00t0dqj/BBC_London_News_06_07_2010/

 

[gaz]

An interesting watch.

I spoke to TFL today about the super highways, i didn't get the chance to talk about certain issues that some of us are aware of. I have managed to sort out the ride along, I did ask about the possibility of a few others coming but they asked not to as they want to keep it fairly small.

 

[Origamist]

An interesting watch.

I spoke to TFL today about the super highways, i didn't get the chance to talk about certain issues that some of us are aware of. I have managed to sort out the ride along, I did ask about the possibility of a few others coming but they asked not to as they want to keep it fairly small.

Gaz, Hembrow's got some good stuff here:

http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-on-londons-superhighways.html

 

[Origamist]

Ride and interview with Nigel Hardy, the project manager for the CSs - really good stuff here:

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/features/is-there-anything-super-about-the-cycle-superhighways/

I found this part, particularly telling:

Riding the superhighway side-by-side with Nigel Hardy, which is barely possible along much of the route as the lanes are often just 1.5 metres wide, I wondered what he thought beginner cyclists would think of the experience.

As we stood at the final junction of our tour with Nigel pointing in various directions and explaining to me what cyclists need to do to pass this complicated junction I thought it was the right time to ask the question.

His response is perhaps the ultimate conclusion to the cycle superhighways. Without training he wouldn’t expect them to feel very happy riding along this busy A-road even with the superhighways in place.